and when you go to court if they show up you are guilty. It is your word against theirs and who is the judge going to believe???
I got a ticket for loud music with my windows up and a stock radio and speakers. I got a decibel reading to show that my stereo is not loud enough to be heard with the windows up and went to court to fight it. The ***** judge didn't even know what a decibel reading was, refused to go outside and listen for herself and believed that the cop heard my stereo from a BLOCK away! And music from a rooftop club can be easily heard from where I was pulled over. Then she added $25 to the fine. So basically we are screwed when we get a ticket and if we fight it we get punished with a bigger fine. How can this be fair? He lied she wouldn't look at all the evidence that I had and only pretended to look at what I gave her. BS!!!
2006-07-29 21:49:38 · 16 answers · asked by Amy >'.'< 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I've been a cop for over 20 years and have to agree that you are right, the deck is stacked against you in this area. The cops get most of the latitude in municipal court and the disposition of citations. Please do not let this bad experience taint the way you see all police officers. Agreed, there are some real jerks in uniform. Some officers do look for any excuse to write a citation. Most of us won't unless it's deserved. Overall, the officers I know are dedicated, fair-minded servants who do a pretty much thankless job for only average pay. The officers that work under my supervision don't pull crap like you described. We take civilian complaints seriously in my department. Sometimes, you get the screws put to you. It's not fair, but over all the system works.
2006-07-29 22:21:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's what lawyers are for. They know how to present evidence in court where the layman does not. You have to ask the cop what the decibel level was while you have him on the stand, as well as what the legal decibel level is. Then you have to provide reference to the law to the judge, and offer your readings into evidence. Keep in mind that a reading taken after the incident may be meaningless. About the only one that might be accepted would be one taken with the stereo turned all the way up. Anything less and it's your word against the cops. And most stereo systems can be heard outside the car when turned all the way up, even with the windows closed.
2006-07-30 05:37:46 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No cops can't give you a ticket for just anything. Apparently you were pulled over because of the loud music. When you went to court sounds like you had an attitude and I can tell you from experience, attitude makes a difference.
2006-07-30 10:52:17 · answer #3 · answered by pamela h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey slicktop 80,You almost had me convinced that cops arent that bad.I think there might be some good cops out there.But when I go to traffic court and there is standing room only,then I know its a money thing.A stock radio as loud as it can go is questionable,but you dam* sure caint here it a block away.Cops are necessary,if we didn't have them,it would be chaos.If cops would just use some good judgment,coupled together with compassion,I would not hate yall as much as I do.
2006-07-30 08:03:54 · answer #4 · answered by pops 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In your case - noise is noise - based upon decible level. He does not have to be able to sing - or recognise the words - just hear the noise. BUT - psychologically cops are people who abuse power and authority. Takes a person with a defined "personality disorder" to do the job. The ones discharged from the military with personality disorder are the prized members of cops on the outside.
2006-07-30 07:32:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you said is not true in general, although it does happen.
You have the right to appeal any offense and you should do just that. I got a traffic ticket and the judge I got had Alzheimer's (documented). I appealed to district court and won.
When the judge, who did not even listen to my defense, said guilty, I went to the clerk right away and said I want to appeal this and they gave me the paper work. I went right away to district court and filed it.
I also have had other tickets and in one, I was guilty and paid, the others I challenged because I was not guilty, including a parking ticket, and won every time.
2006-07-30 05:00:52 · answer #6 · answered by Seikilos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should find out if you can ask for a different judge, and if you can't then at least put in a letter of complaint to the court- be very curteous and respectful, but outline everything that the judge did and didn't do. If enough people voiced their complaints, she would get investigated.
2006-07-30 04:56:20 · answer #7 · answered by keengrrl76 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh gosh police what can you say
most think they are above the law not all of them but most do
so when they put that uniform on they change in to power tripping ego plonkers
that is what it is like all over the world no different anywhere
sad fact of life most police are power hungry
it is a shame on the good cops because they don't stand a chance of getting respect because of the rotten ones
respect
shaz
2006-07-30 10:21:02 · answer #8 · answered by sharon B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can appeal. A friend of mine appealed and had the officer's radar equipment calibration records subpoenaed and won his case on speeding as the calibrations had not been done and the radar was off by a mile. Excuse me I am tired, the speed radar.
2006-07-30 05:11:06 · answer #9 · answered by midnightdealer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For every one person that gets screwed, there are two people who are guilty.
"I was just minding my own business... when the cop shot at me first"
"they planted all the drugs on me"
2006-07-30 05:02:49 · answer #10 · answered by im.in.college.so.i.know.stuff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋